there is a sense of comraderie with harley guys. i find that when i go to get fuel on my harley, there is usually someone who'll comment on my bike in a very positive way and want to visit. ride in on a yamasaki or whatever the soy sauce of the day is, and you'll likely be ignored. since buying my 53 panhead in 1967 when i was in highschool, i've owned several metrics between then and now. nothing really satisfies like a harley. what really gets me, is that i don't understand what you're either saying or asking, but i gotta admit, you did a pretty good job of making it confusing. don't bitch, just ride, and then you may understand.

 

My Harleys are my hobby, I didn't by them for transportation. Everyone has a hobby, Bikes, Muscle cars, boats, RV's etc. etc. etc. And everyone spends money on thier hobbies. My Dad asked me why I spend so much money on bike bike, I asked him why he spends so much money on his horses. It's NO differn't. That's his hobby. I am happy harley uses the grips, floorboards, shifter pegs Etc. that he use. If they put on nicer ones, most of us would change them anyways, because most of us don't want to walk through a parking lot and find 10 other bikes identical to ours. As for those that want to be able to go to harley and order the options you want, first off, you can. They are called dealer installed items, second off. For alot of us, the fun is in doing the work in our own shops/ garages.

 

Who gives a rat's *** what they do on metric threads?

 

Last time I check this was a Harley Thread.

PS Didn't have to change anything for reliability on mine either.

 

Not to mention the inferior steering bearings on the metric I just sold to get my harley.

 

I keep mine stock.

 

Oh chit! I 'bout fell outta my damn chair laughing at this one. That's some good stuff right there!

"300 miles for a cheeseburger". HAHAH! Yep, been there, done that!

"looks like a Harley...how should I answer...". ROFL!

That second one really cracked me up because I look back at the customizing I did to both of my Kawi Vulcans and sure enough...I *wanted* them to have a certain "Harley" look, but got defensive or self righteous when someone asked "is that a Harley", or said "nice looking Harley". /rollsEyes

But to the OP...none of my Harley's required any modifications to be solid, dependable, good looking bikes. All $$ I put into them after the purchase was to make them stronger, meaner, or to customize their appearance according to my "vision" of what I wanted the bike to look like.

I can also tell you that every metric I've ever owned underwent the exact same process, so it's not limited to just Harley's.

Go buy a Honda Rune. About the only thing you can customize on those is paint. No options = no temptations = psychological mind-**** that your bike is "perfect, the best it can be, there's nothing more I can/need to do to it". Problem solved.

 

Hey Jack --- The other forums probably don't have all this.

# 1 it's a Harley! Always nickel & dime stupid stuff going wrong. Not to mention that there might be a few people who have to ask about EVERYTHING.

# 2 Honda, Kawi, & Suzy --- to make them reliable, here's what you do:
1 -- put in gas.
2 -- ride.
3 -- Change oil regularly.

 

If you think you paid too much, sell it and buy a Honda. Why would you take a "lifetime to own a Harley" and then act like you aren't happy. If you were happier with the metric, then that's what you should ride. And we aren't spending money to "make it right." We are spending money to make it our own, the we want it. It's an American thing.

 

I have spent a ton of money on my honda trying to make it all harley. The honda guys with the cruisers are spending a ton of money with limited parts available to make them look like a harley. The best move I have ever made was dumping the honda and buying my harley I have changed a thousand different ways still love it and wished done it sooner.